Press



I. HARTER Dec. 27, 1938.

PRESS Filed Nov. 22, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l ,INVENTOR Isaac Harter gv R TTQRNEY I, HARTER Dec. 27, 1938.

PRESS Filed Nov. 22, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR [saac Ha/"Lerklgg /22 E I. HARTER Dec. 27, 1938.

PRESS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 22, 1954 v i k- J INVENTOR Isaac Harzer B AI'TORNEY Dec.27,1938. V I,HARTER 2,142,052

PRESS Filed Nov. 22, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Isaac 1'] arier' TTORNEY Patented Dec. 27, 1938 PATENT OFFICE PRESS Isaac Harter, New York, N. Y., assignor to The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Newark, N. 3., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 22, 1934, Serial No. 754,255

11 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for working metal and more particularly to a forge press.

An object of this invention is to provide a press of improved construction wherein the amount of forging done on the material at any one stroke is under the direct control of the operator, and wherein there is a uniformity of finished product, both as to the amount of forging done on the material and as to the final finish allowance of material on the forging itself, thereby causing a saving in the finishing costs.

A further object is to provide an improved press wherein the handling of the material by the operator during the operation of the press is facilitated.

A further object is to prevent damage to the press in case the operator becomes careless and allows the working clearance between the dies to go below a predetermined minimum.

The above and other objects are effected by my invention, as will be apparent from the following description and claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a frontelevational view illustrating one preferred embodiment of my improved press;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on' the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a partial plan, partial-sectional view of my improved press, the portion shown in sectirn being taken on the line 6-45 of Fig. 2;'

Fig. 7 is an electrical diagram illustrating the operation of the press and an automatic means for stopping the press in case the working clearance goes below a predetermined minimum; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows 88 of Fig- 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be observed that I have shown my invention as embodied in a press. I 0 fo'r'forging metallic members of varying sizes and shapes. The press comprises a frame ii, an anvil block l2 mounted in the lower portion ofthe frame, and a vertically movable cross-head or ram 13 mounted in'the upper portion of the frame. Dies M and I5 are fixed respectively to the anvil block 12 and ram i3. The operation-of the press provides for-working engagement of the dies i4 and IS with a member I 6 to be worked on, ina manner well known in the art.

The press frame i i comprises four substantially vertical columns ll joinedtogether at their bottom to form a base member [8 and joined together 5 at their upper ends to form a cap or head member l9. In so far as certain of the broader aspects of my invention are concerned the frame may be constructed in any suitable manner; however, in the embodiment shown on the drawings I have chosen to illustrate the frame as consisting of a single steel casting. Such a construction is extremely sturdy and possesses distinctive advantages over the conventional sectional type of construction wherein tension bolts are provided which become loose in operation and have to be tightened from time to time.

In order to provide for uniform operation of the press the columns are water cooled to prevent expansion and contraction incident to changes in temperature thereof. I have indicated at I la inlet pipes for the cooling water whichflows upwardly through the hollow interior of .columns I? and through outlet pipes I lb in the upper ends thereof.

The columns I! are arranged to provide guideways for the ram or cross-head l3 (see Fig. 3). To this end, frame members are disposed between pairs of columns l1 at opposite sides of the vertical center line of the frame and are fixed to the columns. Vertically disposed blocks 2| are fixed to the frame members 20 and the outer surfaces thereof in conjunction with adjacent flange portions 22 of the frame members 20 provide surfaces 23 and 24 disposed at right angles to one another and to which are respectively secured vertical guide plates 25 which are slidably engaged by correspondingguide plates 26 fixed to the ram. Either the guide plates 25 or 26 may be easily replaced in case of wear.

The press II] is provided with a drive shaft 2'! rotatably mounted in spaced bearings 28 carried by the frame. The shaft 21 is shown as being a one piece forging with an eccentric portion 29 at ,its center, on which is journaled the upper end of a connecting rod 30, the lower end of the connecting rod being pivotally connected to the ram I3 as indicated at 3|.

,The drive shaft 21 is suitably operated through reduction gearing from an electric motor 32 of the variable speed type. The motor is indicated in Fig. '7 as being of the three phase squirrelcage induction type. The motor shaft 33 is connected through a coupling 34 to a shaft 35 journaled in spaced bearings 36 carried by brackets 31 fixed to the frame I I. A pinion 38 is fixed to the shaft 35 and meshes with a gear 39 fixed to a pinion shaft 40, the latter being journaled in bearings 4 also carried by the brackets 31. Pinions 42 are fixed to the outer ends of the shaft 40 and mesh respectively with gears 43 fixed to the outer ends of the drive shaft 21.

One of the principal features of the present invention is that of providing for varying the working clearance between the dies I4 and I5 by moving the lower anvil block I2 toward and away from the ram l3, as desired. The purpose of this is to accommodate for different sizes of work, to control at all times the amount of forging done for each stroke of the ram, and to provide for predetermined uniform sizes in tile finished product with a minimum of excess metal so as to minimize finishing costs.

The anvil block I! is shown as being in the form of a hollow cylinder with a closed upper end 44 for holding the die 14. The lower end of the anvil block slidably fits within a cylindrical portion 46 of the base member l8. A key 41 fixed to the anvil block and slidably fitting within a vertical groove 48, in the base member permits vertical movement of the anvil block, but prevents movement of the anvil block about its vertical axis so as to maintain the desired matching relation of the dies [4 and [5.

As a further means of guiding the anvil block to permit vertical movement thereof, the upper end of the anvil block is provided with wing portions 49, four in number, which are respectively arranged adjacent the four hollow columns I! of the frame (see Fig. 4). The wing portions 49 are provided with guide surfaces 50 which engage respectively corresponding surfaces 5| provided at the inside corner of each of the columns H.

A sleeve-like nut member 52 is fixed within the hollow interior of the anvil block and is provided with internal screw threads 53 which receive an exteriorly threaded operating and supporting member 54, the latter being provided with a flange 55 which rests upon a flange 56 formed on the upper end of a bushing member 51 which extends through and is fixed to the base member 18 of the press frame. member 54 is of reduced cylindrical form and is journaled in the bushing member 51. A bevel gear 58 is keyed to the extreme lower. end of the member 54 and meshes with a bevel pinion 59 keyed to one end of a shaft 60 (see Fig. 1). The shaft 60 is suitably journaled within a bearing 6| carried by a bracket 62 fixed to the base member l8 of the frame. The end of the shaft 60 opposite the bevel pinion is connected by a.-coupling 63 with a shaft 64 of a speed reducing unit 65. An electric motor 65 is operatively connected by a coupling 61 with the speed reducing unit 65. The motor 66 is preferably of the reversible type and is indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawings as being a shunt wound reversing motor. It will thus be seen that the motor 66 acting through the reduction unit 64, bevel pinion 59, bevel gear 58, and screw threaded member 54, serves to raise or lower the anvil block I! to any desired position.

In operation, the cross-head or ram I3 is con stantly moved up and down, the amount of. movement being fixed by the design of the eccentric portion 29. The amount of forging done on the. member l6 for any one stroke is determined by the position of the anvil block l2. In the drawings, the anvil block is shown as being in its lowermost position and with the ram being reciprocated no working engagement of the dies with The lower end of the the member can be had. After the member I6 is inserted between the dies as shown, the main motor 32 is started, and the anvil block motor 66 operated to elevate the anvil block to a position determined by the amount of forging desired to be done on the member I6 for one stroke. The member I6 is then passed through the press, the ram effecting working engagement of the dies with the member [6. Should more forging on the member l6 be required, the anvil block is elevated still further and the forging process repeated. Usually, the act of raising and lowering the anvil block is effected without stopping the ram, the operator governing his movements by the continuous movement of the ram, such procedure being conducive to large production.

In order to guide the operator during his work and to assure a minimum of excess metal on the finished forging, I provide a gauge 68 comprising a scale 69 fixed to the press frame and an indicator 10 carried by the anvil block [2.

In order to prevent damage to the press in case the operator becomes careless and allows the anvil block to move up to a point where the die I4 will be engaged by the die l5 of the ram on the down stroke of the latter, I provide an auto matic limit switch H which is adapted to be engaged by a vertically adjustable member 12 carried by the outer end of the indicator 10 when the anvil block is raised beyond a predetermined point (see Figs. 1, 7 and 8). The member 12 serves to operate the switch H to stop the anvil block motor 66 and main motor 32.

The vertical adjustment of the member 72 is provided by a vertical slot 13 in the member 12 which receives a bolt 14, the latter also extending through the outer end of the indicator 10. A wing nut 15 serves to tighten the bolt 14 and hold the member 12 in its adjusted position. If desired, the member 12 may be so positoned as to operate the limit switch H in case the working clearance between the dies goes below a predetermined minimum. In such a case, the limit switch would serve as a means for assuring a predetermined final dimension for the member 16 being forged should the operator become careless.

In Fig. '7, I have indicated diagrammatically the manner in which the press is automatically stopped in case the anvil block is elevated beyond a predetermined point. 11 indicate a source of electric current, preferably direct current, at a suitable voltage. The anvil block motor 56 which is shown to be of the reversing shunt wound type is supplied with current by lead wires 18 and 19 connected respectively' to the wires 16 and 11. A low-voltage circuit breaker 80 is disposed in the circuit supplying current to the motor 66 and comprises a switch 8| operated by a toggle arrangement 82, the toggles being urged toward closed-switch position by a solenoid 83 and towards open-switch position by a spring 84. The solenoid 83 is connected by a lead 85 with the lead wire 19 and by a lead 86 with one side of a switch 81, the other side of the switch being connected by a lead 88 with the other side of the supply circuit, i. e., the lead wire 16.

The main motor 32 is shown as being of the variable speed three phase squirrel cage induction type and is supplied with AC current at a suitable voltage by leads 89, 90, 9| connected to a push button station 92 having buttons 93 for effecting operation of the motor at the different speeds and for stopping the motor. The AC The lead wires 16 and when this operating circuit is opened the main,

motor is stopped. A switch 99 is provided in the latter circuit for controlling the same.

The switches 81 and 99 are connected together and to a solenoid I00 for operation thereby in unison, the solenoid I00 being connected to one side of the DC current supply by lead wire IN, and to the other side of the DC current supply through the limit switch II by leads I02 and I03.

When the anvil block is elevated beyond a predetermined position the limit switch II is closed by the adjustable member 12 on the indicator I0, thus establishing a circuit through the leads, I93 and I02 through the solenoid I00, and lead WI. The solenoid I00 when energized acts to open switches 81 and 99. Opening of the switch 87 opens the circuit formed by the leads 8B, 06, solenoid 33 and lead 85, thereby de-energizing the solenoid 83 and permitting the spring 84 to act through the toggle 82 to open the switch 8i and stop the motor 66. Opening the switch 99 opens the circuit including the leads 91 and 98 which circuit is connected to the stop button on the push button station 92 and thereby stops the motor 32. v

It is to be noted at this point that my invention, in certain of its broader aspects, is not to be considered as being limited to the specific means shown for elevating and lowering the lower anvil block and to the means shown for preventing damage to the press in case the anvil block is elevated beyond a predetermined point, because other means falling within the intended scope of this invention may be used for performing these functions; for example, the anvil block may be raised and'lowered hydraulically instead of mechanically and a pressure relief valve may be connected to the operating cylinder for relieving the hydraulic pressure in case the anvil block is elevated to a point where the ram contacts with the anvil on its down stroke.

In accordance with the present invention, I also provide an improved means for automatically rotating the member I6. to be forged, between strokes of the ram I3. From an examination of Figs. 1. 2 and 3, it will be observed that at each side of the ram and extending parallel to the axis of the member there is provided a stub shaft IIO carrying a sheave III, and a ratchet wheel II2. Each shaft H0 is carried by a plate II 3 fixed to the ram I3. An endless chain H4 encircles each of the sheaves and the member I6 .to be forged. Mounted on each shaft H0 and other end of the lever H8 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a rod I20, the latter passing freely through an opening in a bracket I2I rigid with a frame column I1 and connected to such bracket by a compression spring I22, one end of the latter bearing against the bracket I2I and the other end bearing against a'washer I23 held on the lower end of the rod I20 by an adjustable nut I24.

The operation of the above described apparatus is as follows:-

When the crosshead or ram I3 is moved upward a given distance the chains H4 lift the member I6 to be forged clear of the die I4. One end of each lever H8 is held down by the rod I20, which is connected through its respective spring I22 and bracket I2I to a frame column I'I. Further upward movement of the ram carries with it each pivot pin I I9 which causes its respective lever II8 to move about the pivotal connec-- tion with the upper end of the rod I20 and move through the link III the cheek plates H5 about the shaft IIO, thereby moving its respective pawl IIB, which engages and imparts rotary moveinent to its ratchet'wheel H2 and sheave III. Rotation of the sheaves III will result in the movement of the chains H4, and rotation of the member I6, an amount determined by the amount of rotation imparted by the pawls. The

amount of rotation is determined by the adjustment of the nut I24 on the rod I29. When the ram moves downward, the pawls IIB, cheek plates H5, links III and levers H8 remain in their relative positions until the compression of the spring I22 has been released sufiiciently for the combined weight of the unbalanced portions of the cheek plates, the weight of the pawls, the

1 links, and long arms of the levers, to cause each pawl to ride downward over the teeth of its respective ratchet wheel and assume a new and lower position so that it may be'able to impart additional rotary motion to its ratchet wheel upon the next upward movement of the ram I3. Thus, upon every upward movement of the ram, the member I6 is rotated a certain amount to present new surfaces thereof to be worked on.

I also provide for advancing the member I0 bSing forged through the press. A member I30 extends across and engages one of the cha ns member I6 toward the right as viewed in Fig. 2,

and when the chains H4 are tightened again due to the upward movement of the ram, the mem ber I6 will swing clear of the die I l and to the left, due to the change in position of the lefthand chain with respect to the member I 6. When the member it again contacts with the die I4 and the chains are slack, the right-hand chain or the chain not being engaged by the member I30 will again assume a vertical position. Thus, the member I6 will be automatically moved lengthwise as well as rotated duringthe operation of the press.

While I have shown my invention in only one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as specifically set forth in the appended claims.

1. In a press, the combination of an anvil block; a die secured to the block; a reciprocable ram; 2. die secured to the ram; means for moving the ram through a set stroke toward and away from the anvil block to effect intermittent engagement of the dies with a member to be worked on; and means operated by the relative movement of the ram and anvil block away from one another for lifting and turning said member and thereby presentingnew surfaces to be worked on.

2. In a press, the combination of an anvil block; a die secured to the upper side of the block; a ram disposed above the anvil block; a die secured to the under side of the ram; means for moving the ram toward and away from the anvil block to effect intermittent working engagement of the dies with a member to be worked on; a rotatable sheave carried by the ram; an endless flexible'member encircling the member to be worked on and the sheave and being supported-by the latter; the flexible member being of such a length that as the ram is moved away from the anvil block the member to be worked on is lifted by the flexible member and out of contact with the die on the anvil block; and means operated by the movement of the ram away from the anvil block for rotating the sheave and thereby turning the member to be worked on and presenting new surfaces for engagement by the dies. 7

3. In a press, the combination 'of cooperating dies and holders for the dies relatively movable towards and away from one another to effect intermittent working engagement of the diesv with a member to be worked on; and means providing for lifting, turning and feeding said member between working engagements therewith so as to present new surfaces to be worked on.

4. In a press, the combination of cooperating dies and holders for the dies relatively movable towards and away from one another to effect intermittent working engagement of the dies with a member to be worked on; means for lifting and turning said member as the dies move away from one another to present new surfaces to be worked on; and means cooperating with the first named means for also feeding said member.

5. In a press, the combination of an anvil block; a die secured to the upper side of the block; a ram disposed above the anvil block; a die secured to'the under side of the ram; means for moving the ram towards and away from the anvil block to effect intermittent working engagement of the dies with a member to be worked on; a rotatable sheave carried by the ram; an endless flexible member encircling the .member to be worked on and the sheave and being supported by the latter; the flexible member being of such a length that as the ram is moved away from the block the member to be worked on is lifted by the flexible member and out of contact with the die on the anvil block; means operated by the movement of the ram away from the anvil block for rotating the sheave and thereby turning the member to be worked on and presenting new surfaces for working engagement by the dies; andmeans engaging said flexible member for moving the latter along the member to be worked on during working engagement so that when the member to be worked on is next lifted by the flexible member the member to be worked on will be moved laterally as well as being turned.

6. In apparatus of the character described. the combination of a frame having vertically arranged column members, an eccentric drive shaft mounted in the upper part of said frame, a reciprocable ram, a connecting rod connecting said drive shaft and ram, a hollow cylindrical anvil block mounted in the lower part of said frame, wing extensions on said anvil block having a guide engagement with said column members permitting vertical and preventing rotary'movement of said anvil block relative to said frame, a screw member fltting within said anvil block for moving said anvil block towards and away from said ram, said screw member being supported in the base of said frame and arranged to transmit stresses on said anvil block to said frame, power cut-off means mounted on said frame and controlling the operation of said ram and anvil block, and means mounted on said anvil block for actuating said power cut-off means when said anvil block reaches a predetermined elevation.

7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a vertical frame having hollow corner column members, an eccentric drive shaft horizontally arranged in the upper part of said frame, a reciprocable ram, a connecting rod connecting said drive shaft and ram, a hollow cylindrical anvil block mounted in the lower part of said frame, wing extensions on said anvil block having a guide engagement with corresponding column members permitting vertical and preventing rotary movement of said anvil block relative to said frame, a nut fitting within said anvil block, a screw member engaging said nut for moving said anvil block towards and away from said ram, said screw member being supported in the base of said frame and arranged to transmit stresses on said anvil block to said frame, means for circulating a cooling fluid through said column members, and an electric motor drive for said screw member.

8. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a frame having vertically arranged hollow column members, an: eccentric drive shaft mounted in the upper part of said frame, a reciprocable ram, a connecting rod connecting said drive shaft and ram, a hollow cylindrical anvil block mounted in the lower part of said frame, wing extensions on said anvil block having a guide engagement with said column members permitting vertical and preventing rotary movement of said anvil block relative to said frame, a screw member fitting within said anvil block for moving said anvil block towards and away from said ram, said screw member being supported in the base of said frame and arranged to transmit stresses on said anvil block to said frame, means for circulating a cooling fluid "through said column members, power cut-off means mounted on said frame and controlling the operation of said ramrand anvil block, and means mounted on said anvil block for actuating said power cut-off means when said anvil block reaches a predetermined elevation.

9. In a power press, a frame, a hollow cylindrical anvil block vertically movable in the lower part of said frame, a reciprocable ram vertically movable in theupper part of said frame, means formoving said ram through a set stroke toward and away from said anvil block to effect intermittent working engagement with a member being worked on, and means for vertically moving said anvil block comprising an internally threaded sleeve member fixed within said anvil block, an externally threaded elevating screw arranged coaxially within said anvil block and in threaded engagement with said sleeve member, means for transmitting the working stresses on said. anvil block and screw to said frame, a reversible electric motor, and drive mechanism operatively connecting said motor and screw.

10. In a power press, a frame, an anvil block vertically movable in the lower part of said frame, a reciprocable ram vertically movable in the upper part of said frame, means for moving said ram through a set stroke toward and away from said anvil block to effect intermittent working engagement with a member being worked on, and means for vertically moving said anvil block comprising an externally threaded elevating screw engaging said anvil block, an electric motor. drive mechanism operatively connecting said motor and screw, a limit switch adapted to stop said motor, and means on said anvil block for actuatlng said limit switch when said anvil block is elevated to a predetermined point.

11. In a power press, a frame, an anvil block vertically movable in the lower part of said frame, a reciprocable ram vertically movable in the upper part of said frame, an electric motor for moving said ram through a set stroke toward and away from said anvil block to efiect intermittent working engagement with a member being worked on, and means for vertically moving said anvil block comprising an externally threaded elevating screw engaging said anvil block, a second electric motor, drive mechanism operatively connecting said last mentioned motor and screw, a limit switch adapted to simultaneously stop said motors, and means on said anvil block for actuating said limit switch when said anvil block is elevated to a predetermined point.

ISAAC HARTER. 

